BLEPHAROPLASTY

Cosmetic Surgery /

EYELIDS

Blepharoplasty is a procedure to remove excess fat, skin, and muscle from the upper and lower eyelids. Eyelids can make you look tired and can make you look older than you are. In some cases they can even interfere with vision.

Eyelid surgery can be performed on its own or along with other facial cosmetic surgery procedures, such as facial or frontal lifting.

It is important to keep in mind that blepharoplasty does not eliminate "crow's feet" or other wrinkles around the eyes, nor does it solve drooping eyebrows.

Técnicas

Preoperative appearance

Design of the skin areas that will be removed Design of the skin areas that will be removed

Excess fat and skin will be removed during surgery Excess fat and skin will be removed during surgery

Resulting incisions

In transconjunctival blepharoplasty the incision is made through the conjuntiva

Postoperative appearance

Would you be a good candidate for eyelid surgery?

Generally blepharoplasty patients are 35 or older, but in some cases, patients who have a tendency to have bags around the eyes, can be younger.

Below we provide an introduction to what you can expect from blepharoplasty.

Blepharoplasty takes between 20 minutes and 2 hours, depending on whether it is for the upper or lower eyelids, or both. Normally, it is not necessary to stay in the hospital for more than a few hours after surgery.

The procedure is normally performed under general anesthesia although sometimes local anesthesia is used along with sedation.

If surgery is to be performed on all four eyelids, generally the upper eyelids are done first. Normally incisions are made along the natural lines on the upper eyelids and just below the lashes on the lower eyelids. Through these incisions the skin is separated from the underlying fat and muscles, removing the excess fat, and occasionally the excess skin and muscle. The incisions are closed with very thin stitches.

In young patients where there is only an excess of fat, transconjunctival blepharoplasty can be performed on the lower eyelids; the incision is situated inside the lower eyelid and leaves no visible scar.

You may feel discomfort in the eyelid area that will easily be eliminated with the medication prescribed by your surgeon. You will need to keep your head elevated for a few days after surgery and apply cold compresses, in order to reduce the swelling and bruises. During the first few weeks after a blepharoplasty you may notice excessive tearing, hypersensitivity to light, and temporary changes in visual acuity. The stitches will be removed between 2 days and one week after the procedure. The bruises will fade gradually until they disappear completely, and you will begin to look and feel better.

Most patients who undergo blepharoplasty begin to be able to read and watch television within 2 or 3 days. However, you will not be able to use contact lenses, if you wear them, until after 2 weeks, and you may still feel uncomfortable for a while. You may need to wear sunglasses for several weeks and apply sunscreen to the eyelids. You should maintain relative rest for 3 to 5 days and avoid strenuous activities for 3 weeks.

When this procedure is performed by a qualified plastic surgeon, complications are very infrequent and of little importance. However, the possibility of complications such as infections, reactions to the anesthesia, always exist. Risks can be minimized by carefully following the plastic surgeon's instructions, both before and after surgery. Minor complications that can arise after a blepharoplasty procedure include double or blurry vision for a few days, temporary bruises on the eyelids, and slight asymmetry during healing. After surgery you may have difficulty closing your eyelids completely when sleeping. Another infrequent complication is ectropion, which will need to be corrected through surgery.

The scars may look pink during the first few months after eyelid surgery. They will disappear progressively until they become a light, almost invisible line. The results of eyelid surgery, a younger, more awakened appearance, are maintained for years, and in some cases, are permanent.